Giovanni Pernice appeared downcast as he smoked a cigarette at the stage door of the floral pavilion in New Brighton on Thursday.

The professional dancer, 33, sported a black coat along with a matching T-shirt and jeans as he checked his phone.

Giovanni appeared to be enjoying some alone time after he was accused of exhibiting ‘threatening and abusive’ behaviour towards his celebrity dance partners on Strictly Come Dancing.

The dancer is currently on a tour of the UK and Ireland with upcoming dates in Birmingham, Dublin, Belfast and Darlington. 

He will wrap up his 2024 dates in Salford on July 21 before heading back on the road in January 2025. 

It comes following claims that Amanda Abbington is reportedly considering fresh legal action against Giovanni after the professional dancer reportedly refused to release their rehearsal videos.

While the former Strictly star has denied the claims against him, Amanda’s lawyers believe the tapes will support misconduct accusations against the dancer as the BBC continues to investigate.

The Sun have revealed Strictly insiders wondered ‘what he had to hide’ after he is said to have blocked the release of training footage with Amanda.

A source told the publication: ‘Amanda and her legal team asked to have access to the tapes. The BBC contacted Giovanni and his legal team to get their consent but they refused.

‘Amanda’s legal team are now weighing up an appeal to the Information Commissioner’s Office to get access to the evidence as they think it is vital in helping support her claims.

‘He claims the allegations are false — she insists they will ­validate every one of her grievances. To be clear, the BBC are reviewing the tapes and taking them very seriously. But there are data implications to them ever being leaked so they are in an unenviable position.’

MailOnline have contacted both the BBC and Giovanni’s representatives for comment. 

The latest legal development comes after it was revealed the accusations have now widened after more complaints surrounding the hit show.

Sources have told the Mail that the accusations have prompted bosses to extend the inquiry to look at other matters, and individuals, involved with the dance series as they prepare for its 20th anniversary.

It means that Giovanni, who has already let his frustrations at the investigation be known, faces an even longer wait for an outcome after Amanda, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh all came forward to complain about their dance partner. 

The investigation also threatens to damage Strictly, the BBC’s biggest Saturday night success story since The Generation Game.

A television source told the Mail: ‘This investigation is no longer just solely about Giovanni but other, more wider issues. The show has been going for 20 years and the whole veneer of Strictly is so sparkly and lovely, of course there will always be people who feel hard done by.

‘Amanda’s complaints have started something massive, it has opened the door for others to come forward about things they haven’t been happy with.

‘It is all a big headache for the BBC, it is about to celebrate a massive milestone with its 20th anniversary.

‘Having the Giovanni complaint has been a big enough issue, but now it looks like there is more to be scrutinised and looked into.’

Sources close to Giovanni say that he fully expects to be exonerated.

Insiders say also that the widened inquiry will now present Giovanni as possibly being a ‘small fish’ in Strictly’s potential downfall.

In May it was revealed that Amanda had instructed London law firm Carter Ruck to represent her against the BBC.

The BBC previously refused to comment on the matter but it did confirm in a statement that more than one complaint has been made.

It was revealed last week that a plea was made online for anyone involved in the show at any time in the past two decades to come forward and speak to the BBC if they had experienced any bad behaviour.

Writing in The TV Mindset, a social media forum for TV industry workers, an anonymous member insisted: ‘It is important to hear as many accounts as possible from others who were treated inappropriately, had grievances, or potentially identify others that were.

‘This is crucial in supporting Amanda’s case, as well as potentially anyone else’s. It is also ultimately to support all freelancers and the industry as a whole by standing up to such practices.’

The chaos now surrounding the show was said to be typified by the surprise announcement on Monday that former fan favourite the dancer Aljaz Skorjanec would be returning show after a two-year absence.

It comes a month after the full line up of professional dancers for the next series was announced by the Corporation.

Some within the show have questioned why he was not unveiled alongside with the other professionals – particularly because the Beeb left fans waiting for some weeks following Mr Pernice’s departure before putting the final list out.

Insiders also noted that the Press were not given a heads up – instead, the announcement was made on the BBC’s own magazine programme, The One Show, on Monday evening.

One source said: ‘Usually when something like this happens the BBC give the wider media a heads up but this time the first anyone knew of it was a chat with Aljaz on The One Show and then it was quietly put up on the BBC’s press centre at 7.30pm the same day.

‘It meant that the announcement was in keeping with the narrative the BBC wanted, no questions were asked as to why he was being unveiled now.’

A BBC spokesman said of the widened investigation last night: ‘We recently issued a statement urging the media not to indulge in speculation about complaints related to a high profile show and that position remains the same.’

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Source: Tampa Bay Times